The Eighties and even the Nineties would have been so much more interesting if more manufacturers had taken their front-drive econoboxes and moved their engines to the back to create little rally monsters like this 1984 Renault R5 Turbo 2 for sale on Hemmings.com, a recently serviced example that appears ready to rock. From the seller’s description:

This R5 Turbo is one of the best I have ever owned and I have owned many. It is exceptional both above and beneath, the mechanicals are excellent and recently fully serviced. It is a true time warp example.

It was imported to the USA by well-known Sun International in the day and has enjoyed California ownership until just last year when it was purchased by Autosport Designs, Inc. on behalf of one of our clients. Since purchased, it has received an $8,000 service to make sure this R5 Turbo is ready for immediate use at a moments notice.

This R5 Turbo has received the following tasteful modifications over the years, all upgrades are in keeping with factory prepared R5 Turbos. It has received and uprated suspension package, bolt in roll cage for the true rally look (the front of the cage has been diassembled for street use, but will be available with the car) as well as factory sport exhaust manifolds-header system. All parts were supplied by well-known R5 Turbo UK specialist John Price Racing.

This R5 Turbo is being sold simply due to our clients paring down a rather large collection.

Price: $69,500 Location: Huntington Station, New York
Status: No Longer Available

I wonder how many of those are actually in the U.S. I know of one that was in the Fort Worth, Texas area back in the ’90s. Sort of a light metallic tan, with a Harley-Davidson ‘bar and shield’ decal on the rear hatch window. Occasionally seen at street cruises in the southwest side (TCU/Hulen) area.